A Nov. 3 trial date has been set for an Air Force veteran accused of gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of prescription drugs in the death of a Pacific Beach man on La Jolla Village Drive.
The motorist, Soranon Booppanon, is accused of causing the Oct. 23, 2013 crash that killed George Matteson, 77, and seriously injured his wife Betty, 74. Booppanon, of San Diego, has pleaded not guilty.
Booppanon appeared in San Diego Superior Court on July 14 with her attorney to seek a delay in the trial, which had been set for Aug. 18. She remains free on her own recognizance on condition she not drive.
Booppanon, 40, was driving to the La Jolla Veterans Administration hospital when she ran a red light and struck two cars and a truck at the intersection of La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee Avenue, killing Matteson. She was taking a painkiller, valium and other drugs at the time.